In Britanny 80% of drinking water is provided by surface water intakes. Their protection is impervious because of their vulnerability to pollution. The delineation of the immediate and close protection perimeters recommended by French regulations arises from an identification and a prioritisation of risks. Whatever the location of water intake may be - in a reservoir or in a river - the close protection perimeter is composed of two zones: a sensitive zone and a complementary zone. The vegetated sensitive zone allows runoff and associated pollutant to be attenuated before reaching the resource. The spreading of slurry and use of pesticides is forbidden.